AMHERST – Several hundred dollars in damage was caused when vandals smashed five lights in Victoria Square overnight Saturday.

It's the latest bit of vandalism to hit the square in recent months.

"It appears as though someone walked by them and simply smashed them," town CAO Greg Herrett said. "It's probably going to cost several hundred dollars to repair them and we're looking into finding a supplier who can provide a cover that won't break so easily."

The town refurbished Victoria Square several years ago as part of its Centre First Downtown Action Strategy. The renovations included a new concrete pad around the cenotaph, a new bandstand and stage area as well as a new sound system and lighting.

Herrett said the town has received reports of people loitering around the bandstand, trying to gain access to its electrical panel. He said there have also been reports of people kicking the cement pillars that bear the names of the town's four Fathers of Confederation.

"The message we want to get out is simple. If you see something suspicious or someone causing damage call the police," Herrett said. "The square is a community gathering place and place for community celebrations. Hopefully the actions of a few won't make a difference in that."

Anyone with information on the vandlism is asked to call the Amherst Police Department at 667-8600.

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jr

August 15, 2013 - 13:46

How can the Police be everywhere at one time. We may have that many members, but there are so many working at one time. If they always concentrated on that one area, then that would leave other parts of town uncovered. If there are no cameras in that area, then install a coouple as it will only take one person to be caught to pay for it by way of saving the cost of repairs.

Yea yea,blame the cops..try blaming the parents of these punks that let them roam the streets all night...no parenting,that's the problem..along with the court system and YOA...they get caught,go to court,slap on the wrist...big deal.No deterent to smarten these idiots up...PS..the mall is full of people from AMHERST every night...It's them who make the disgusting mess!!!!

Say it isn't so not the world famous Disco Lights. What next the little keebler elves tiny little houses. I am shocked it took this long!!!! I do agree the mall yard was a mess the other day! I was there one day and reported people dumping garbage out and took down the cars plate reported it to the police. It came back as a car from New Glasgow. The police said there was not much they could do unless I wanted to go to court. So before you blame the young people of Amherst who hang out at the mall it might not even be them. This is a boarder town and a lot of people pass through it!!!

Is there not camera,s downtown just look at the video tape or are these just false one,s. Where are the cop they should be on foot and watching these people that keep doing this as there where 3 of them put out one night and then another the following night. ( just saying) PS or is it people that just NO NOT LIKE THE NEW LOOK THANKS

It is certainly time for the Amherst Police Dept to start driving around or parking at nights in unmarked vehicles. There is so much going on that is so obvious to the average citizen but of course the trouble makers are on their best behavior when the see the cop cars. And by the way did you know that COP stands for 'constable on patrol' and is not a derogatory word as most think.

Unbelievable and sad.....we have 28 full time police (members) on staff and these kinds of things can happen right down town in the middle of everything. Remember when Bella's was broken into a short time ago. Obviously the vandals of Amherst have no fear of our dedicated boys in blue or maybe our guys are in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time of day. I can tell you there's no shortage of our new patrol cars on Albion street or the industrial park in the middle of the day especially when people are going to and coming home from work. Lots and lots of flashing lights. Hummmmmm....maybe we should give all the loiterers cars so they might get caught doing something wrong and leave the things on main street near the police station alone!!!

This just makes me so mad!!!! Our downtown looks so nice and because someone has nothing better to do could ruin it for everyone. Another thing that infuriates me is the bunch of vehicles hanging out at the mall (Dollarama, etc)
every night, they dump all their food, oil containers or whatever in front of their vehicles. My girlfriends and I walk by there most days and see it and what gets me is that a garbage can is THERE!!!! Guess they don't know what it is!! Not sure what can be done about any of this except maybe getting some plate numbers and reporting ! We live in a beautiful town, wish people would realize that and try to keep it that way!! Thanks for letting me vent!!!